If you are an exercise or physical activity enthusiast, you must be familiar with the words rigorous and vigorous. Most people use these words interchangeably because they do not know their difference. So, what’s more about rigorous vs. vigorous?
Both are correct. Rigorous is an adjective that means “showing, causing, or favoring rigor, scrupulously accurate, strict, or thorough.” Vigorous means “possessing vigor, full of physical or mental strength.” So, vigorous means energetic and spirited, while rigorous means complete and exhaustive.
The most visible difference between vigorous and rigorous words is the letters v and r. For this reason, it is normal for people to confuse these words. Read on to clarify the confusion between these words while recognizing the meanings and usage of these terms.
Definitions Of Rigorous And Vigorous
Most people’s confusion regarding these words stems from not knowing their definitions. Driven by this fact, we researched various reliable sources to prepare this definitions section. Here are the comprehensive meanings of rigorous and vigorous.
Definitions Of Rigorous
This is an adjective formed from the noun rigor. Therefore, the word rigor will come up in its definition. For this reason, we begin this section by clarifying the definition of rigor.
- Rigor means “strictness and harshness or severity of conditions in an ailing body.” It also refers to “the full extreme or severity of laws, rules, or instructions.”
- This noun also means “severity of living conditions, weather, or climate,” like extreme hardship.
- Another definition of rigor is “inflexible adherence or scrupulousness.”
Now that you understand the meaning of the word rigor, you will find it easy to understand the following definitions of rigorous.
Rigorous means “characterized by rigor, rigid severity, or harshness.” It also means “scrupulously accurate, strict, or thorough.”
Another source defines this adjective as “allowing no abatement or mitigation, relentless, exact, strict, or severe.” For example, rigorous execution of the law.
A common definition of rigorous is “rigidly accurate, allowing no deviation from a standard, rules, or principles.” For example, a rigorous vegetarian is a strict vegetarian.
In learning institutions, rigorous means “demanding strict attention or adherence to rules and procedures.” For example, rigorous discipline.
Rigorous also means “violent.” For example, rigorous dancing or exercising. Also, rigorous means “circumstances that cause suffering,” like a rigorous climate.
Definitions Of Vigorous
This adjective comes from the root noun vigor. Therefore, let us start this section by defining this noun before looking at vigorous definitions.
- Vigor means “active strength or force.”
- It also refers to “healthy physical or mental energy or power.”
- Another definition is “energetic activity or intensity.”
- In biology, vigor is “a force of healthy growth in any living organism, like a plant or animal.”
Now let us define the adjective vigorous.
Vigorous means “full of or characterized by vigor” (see the definitions of vigor above). Another close meaning is “physically strong or active.” That means “full of physical or mental strength, strong, or robust.”
Something vigorous “exhibits strength either of body or mind, and it’s powerful and energetic.” The term also means “rapid growth,” like a vigorous plant.
How To Properly Use Rigorous And Vigorous In A Sentence
Vigorous and rigorous are not complicated words, as some people may assume. Once you have a grasp of the definitions, using these words becomes easy. Keep the following facts in mind when using these words in sentences:
How To Use The Word Rigorous
This word is an adjective. An adjective modifies a noun or other words in a sentence. It explains the characteristics of other words, especially nouns and verbs.
So, you can use this word to express the following characteristics:
- Extremely thorough, strict, accurate, or carefull, like a rigorous schedule
- Requiring great mental effort, like a rigorous execution of justice
- Adhering to standards or done systematically, like a rigorous task
- Not easy to satisfy, like a rigorous thirst
- Tiring, perfect, overnice, or stable
How To Use The Word Vigorous
Use this adjective in a sentence to express the following characteristics of a verb or noun:
- Full of spirit, life, and energy, like a vigorous personality
- Strong and in good health, like a vigorous person
- Having a strong or muscular physique, like a vigorous old man
- Able to withstand exhaustive hardship, like a vigorous family
- Stormy (weather or climate), like a vigorous hurricane
- Involving hardship, like a vigorous living condition
- Sharp or severe
What Makes Rigorous And Vigorous Correct Words?
The easiest way to determine if words are correct is by checking them in the dictionary. Dictionaries do not rank incorrect words on their pages. Therefore, one indicator that vigorous and rigorous are correct words is their presence on the pages of any dictionary.
Another indicator of the correctness of these words is their traceable origin. The word vigorous was first used in the early 13th century as a popular surname coined from the Anglo-French word “vigrus.” The Old French gave this word the meaning “strong, robust, and powerful.”
In contrast, the first recorded use of the word rigorous was in the early 15th century from the Old French word “rigorous.” It has maintained the meaning of “strict, harsh, stern adherence to laws and action” throughout the years.
Rigorous Vs. Vigorous: A Little Comparison
Now that you know these are correct words, let us look at their comparisons. Here are some elements you can use to compare these words.
Origin
The word vigorous has Anglo-French and Old-French origins. It was first used in the early 13th century. In contrast, the word rigorous has Old French, Modern French, and Medieval Latin roots. Its first known use was in the early 15th century.
Pronunciation
The correct way to say the word vigorous is “/vig-er-uhs/.” In contrast, the proper way to say the word rigorous is “/rig-er-uhs/.” You may notice that both words have three syllables, which also counts as a similarity.
Formation
In English, you can form adjectives from nouns by adding the suffix “-ous” at the end of the noun. For instance, the words rigorous and vigorous are formed from the nouns vigor and rigor. “-Ous” is a word-forming element for making adjectives from nouns. It means “having, full of, inclined to, or having to do with.” So, something vigorous “is inclined to, having, full of, or has to do with ‘vigor.'” This word-forming element comes from the Old French “-ous or -eux.”
List Of Examples Of Rigorous And Vigorous Use In Sentence
You can use these words in everyday conversations or writing. Here are some examples of rigorous and vigorous use in sentences:
Example sentences of the word rigorous
- The public complained about the former mayor’s rigorous imprisonment.
- The church announced a long and rigorous fast for all its members.
- After a long and rigorous exercise schedule, Maria finally achieved her dream weight.
- The nylon paper will not withstand rigorous use.
- The leather bag could not withstand rigorous applications, so it spoiled in a couple of weeks.
Example sentences of the word vigorous
- Miss Kelly has the most vigorous personality in her class.
- The football team met with vigorous opponents during the semi-final match.
- Jane’s vigorous personality earned her a spot on the cheerleading team.
- I admire Loy’s vigorous character more than his brother’s shy temperaments.
- The plants need ample room for growth because you can tell from the vigorous branches that this pot will not do.
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Conclusion
Vigorous and rigorous are exciting words to learn about and apply in various contexts. However, despite their spellings differing by one character, these words have different meanings. rigorous means “one that adheres strictly to rules, complete, and thorough.” In contrast, vigorous means “having an active or energetic personality, physically or mentally.”
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.